The Leader has been named the best large weekly newspaper in Arkansas. It has offices in Jacksonville and Cabot and covers north Pulaski County, Lonoke County and White County. The Leader is a family owned and operated newspaper that was founded in 1987.

Tuesday, September 01, 2015

TOP STORY >> New Cabot library doing well

By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer

The new $2.6 million Cabot Public Library that opened two weeks ago continues to attract visitors.

“It’s been great and very busy,” branch manager Tammie Evans told The Leader on Monday.

She was astonished by the number of patrons and the amount of positive support the community is giving to the branch.

The library at 909 W. Main St. was once a vacant Knight’s grocery store. Now, it has been turned into a showplace of books and technology.

The library saw 2,065 people come through its doors the first week the new building opened, compared to 1,496 people that same week in 2014 at the old location, 506 N. Grant St.

“The children’s department’s first storytime had 68 children, almost double the most we had in the past. We had to move it into the community room,” Evans said.

In the first 14 days of being open, a total of 6,917 items were checked out, compared to 3,592 items checked out during the same time last year.

The library issued 298 library cards in the first two weeks, compared to 67 cards issued during that time in 2014.

“We’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from the patrons that came in,” Evans continued.

“We believe that people are proud of our new library. It has a modern feel. A lot of people are impressed with the technology and services we are offering in here.

“Many are glad to know that we’ve partnered with ASU-Beebe in holding day classes,” she noted.

Three college classes are being held at the library. Evans said the program should grow next semester.

Twelve groups have signed up to reserve the community room in the past two weeks. On Monday, the senior center was using it for line dancing classes.

The coffee kiosk has also been a hit.

“We make a gallon of coffee a day,” Evans said.

She said the library is looking at starting a “Mug Club,” a coffee social where people can have their own cup when they are at the library.

The outdoor green space will be finished in October. Evans hopes to use the space before it gets too cold.